Macron Urges Calm as France Grapples With Violent Unrest

French President Emmanuel Macron has issued a call for “calm and order” following a weekend of significant unrest that saw widespread, largely peaceful protests against rising fuel prices and living costs devolve into violent rioting and looting. Speaking from the Elysée Palace, the president warned against any further escalation, stating, “We all feel anger and shame.” Speaking near the ruined building, Annèyse said: “This is very upsetting.

During the weekend, approximately 550,000 demonstrators took to the streets to express grievances regarding public services and the cost of living. Watch: James Waterhouse speaks to looted shop owners on the streets of Paris. Shopkeepers were seen early on Sunday morning picking up large shards of glass in Paris as rubbish trucks cleared up debris on some of the larger streets.

Macron emphasized that while the public holds “legitimate demands,” a clear distinction must be maintained between peaceful protesters and those who “destroyed, smashed and looted.

He asserted that “nothing justifies” the violence observed and promised that all involved would face justice, with “full transparency” regarding the police response.

Impact of Recent Disorder

• CasualtiesAbout 1,000 police officers sustained injuries on Saturday, with seven reported as serious.
• DetentionsInterior ministry officials confirmed approximately 2,400 arrests related to the unrest.
• InfrastructureIn Limoges, a historic 19th-century town hall was severely damaged by fire, leading to a partial collapse of its structure.
• Public SafetyMacron stated that local mayors and prefects are drafting new measures to protect civic buildings and businesses.

The disorder has highlighted deep political fractures as the nation prepares for an April election, setting the stage for a contest between hard-right and hard-left factions.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez condemned the violence, alleging that “several thousand far-left individuals” targeted public buildings and police, later joined by “delinquents” who systematically ransacked businesses in cities including Paris, Marseille, and Lille. Some dressed in black and wearing masks and balaclavas, also came out in Paris, Marseille and other towns and cities, with some setting fire to cars and buildings, groups of rioters. In Limoges, the ornate 19th Century city hall was gutted by a fire started by rioters on Saturday, its clock tower and roof collapsing and the flames took hold. Harming heritage buildings just because you are angry at the government is selfish, I think. According to it’s awful and unbelievable,”, Another man who gave his name as Gerrard. “We are very sad and I think it will be a long time to put it back as it was before.

Political responses to the crisis have been sharply divided.

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the hard-left La France Insoumise, accused police leadership of “complete incompetence” and referred to them as “specialists in organised chaos. Conversely, Marine Le Pen, leader of the hard-right National Rally, criticized political figures for “exploiting” public anger to encourage violence.

As of Sunday, smaller-scale clashes persisted in Paris and Lyon. Security forces continued to deploy tear gas, stun grenades, and water cannons against demonstrators. Local residents have expressed shock at the destruction of historic landmarks, with many observers noting that the situation represents one of the most severe episodes of civil disorder in recent French history. According to the AFP news agency, and bottles and rocks were again hurled at police, tear gas and stun grenades were fired at hundreds of people in Paris.

Important Details

• Student protests which began last month escalated significant on Saturday after they were joined by trade union members and other anti-government groups.